chipper bearings

[chucknduck]

Does anyone know how often you have to change the bearings on an old asplundh drum? Can you tell when they start to go bad, or do they just fail all at once?

 

[cpoerschke]

they should give you warning if you are listening will get pretty noisy befor they fail and damage knives etc. even if you dont hear noise when running and just want to check, take the belts off and spin head by hand after its been runn several hours after last greassing. if you hear any growling or ave any play in bearings, up/down, in/out, replace them. if after you have apart and clean bearings it is not nessesary to replace both if one is smooth and qiiet and only one is noisy and rough. with correct end play adjustmant and if graesed every ten or twelve hours and belts not over tightened bearings should last 5000 hgours minimum

 

[mckeetree]

they should give you warning if you are listening will get pretty noisy befor they fail and damage knives etc. even if you dont hear noise when running and just want to check, take the belts off and spin head by hand after its been runn several hours after last greassing. if you hear any growling or ave any play in bearings, up/down, in/out, replace them. if after you have apart and clean bearings it is not nessesary to replace both if one is smooth and qiiet and only one is noisy and rough. with correct end play adjustmant and if graesed every ten or twelve hours and belts not over tightened bearings should last 5000 hgours minimum

Old Asplundh drum chippers bearings don't have greasers junior.

 

[CalTreeEquip]

Thats true.

Asplundh aren't greasable.
Those bearing rarely give out but when they do you know it.
They will make lots of noise and get very hot if they are going.
After running the drum for a little while touch the bearing case on both sides, if one or both are very hot, to hot to touch, then they are bad.
Or check them by simply turning the drum by hand, feeling for any roughness or resistance. Some time the belts offer noise and resistance, if you think thats it, take the belts off and recheck. If they don't feel right then take a pry bar to the drum and check for play. Keep in mind the that drum weighs a lot so use a long bar with lots of force.
Basically if they are making noise (like all but new ones do) but they are not heating up and they turn nicely when you change the blades then you are in good shape.
Keep in mind that the blower can rub and make noise and wood can get caught between the drum and housing and make noise and interfere as well.
Worn out belts will make noise as well.
Rule out all the easy fixes first before you remove that drum.

 

[chucknduck]

Yeah, I heard that replacing the bearings is not very fun?